What is Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation, in simple terms, means suicidal thoughts or thinking about taking your own life. These suicidal thoughts are common for people suffering depression or undergoing significant stress, but it is important to note that most people that experience suicidal thoughts do not take their own life (although they may still attempt to). This is why understanding suicidal ideation and proper treatment is essential.
What are the warning signs of suicidal ideation?
Warning signs of suicidal thoughts may vary wildly from person to person and oftentimes are not initially obvious. That said, there are a number of signs and symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Continually talking about or making jokes about suicide
- Pursuing the means of taking your own life, such as buying a gun or gathering pills
- Mood swings
- Avoiding social contact
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Reckless or careless behavior
- Giving away belongings or saying goodbyesA sudden preoccupation with death or violence
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What causes suicidal thoughts?
Stressful or overwhelming events often are the chief cause of suicidal ideation. Financial struggles, loss of loved ones or relationships, or a debilitating illness may increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts.
Can changes in my lifestyle reduce suicidal thoughts?
Although professional help is the best option, there are some home remedies that can decrease the risk of suicidal thoughts.
- Form a support network – This may include friends, family, or members of your place of worship.
- Physical activity – Exercises such as walking, jogging, biking, or swimming has been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression.
- Cut out alcohol or drugs – Abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs may also make you more likely to act on your thoughts.
Does Ketamine For Suicidal Ideation really Work?
In an article posted just recently inside the American Journal of Psychiatry, Samuel Wilkinson, as well as colleagues, scrutinized the outcome of ketamine in minimizing suicidal ideations. They made use of a method known as meta-analysis to combine data extracted from 10 clinical studies that fulfilled certain rigorous criteria.
They discovered that just one intravenous infusion of ketamine, at dosages similar to those utilized in other studies as a treatment for major depression, led to an expeditious reduction in suicidal ideations.
Within one day, about 55 percent of individuals who received ketamine no longer went through suicidal ideations, in comparison with 20 percent who received a placebo. This powerful reduction in suicidal ideations lasted for a minimum of 7 days.